This 4 days desert tour from Fes to Marrakech is one of the most complete ways to experience the Moroccan Sahara. It includes more time in the desert, cultural stops, traditional villages, scenic valleys, and the best viewpoints along the Atlas Mountains. You’ll enjoy a sunset camel ride, a night in a beautiful desert camp in Merzouga, visits to gorges and kasbahs, and a smooth finish through the High Atlas to Marrakech.
Your adventure begins early in the morning as you leave Fes and travel into the Middle Atlas Mountains. The first stop is Ifrane, a clean and quiet mountain town known for its European-style architecture. After a short walk, you continue to the Cedar Forest of Azrou, where you can observe the wild Barbary macaques in their natural habitat.
From here, the road leads to Midelt for lunch, then continues along the scenic Ziz Valley, one of the largest palm valleys in Morocco. After enjoying several panoramic views, you pass through Erfoud and reach Merzouga, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. Your camel guide will take you across the dunes during sunset to your desert camp, where you will enjoy dinner, local music, and a peaceful night under the stars.
The second day is a relaxed exploration of the Sahara region. After breakfast, you begin a 4×4 desert excursion around the dunes. You visit the village of Khamlia, known for its traditional Gnawa music played by descendants of West African tribes. The tour continues to meet local nomad families living in tents, offering a chance to learn about their lifestyle.
You will also explore the Black Desert and its volcanic stones, visit the Mifis mines, and admire multiple panoramic viewpoints. Lunch is usually enjoyed in Merzouga or Khamlia. Later in the afternoon, you can relax at your hotel or take another optional camel ride for sunset. Overnight in a hotel or desert camp, depending on your choice.
After breakfast, you leave Merzouga and return to Erfoud, known for its fossil workshops. From there you drive through several Berber villages until reaching Tinghir, where the impressive Todra Gorge rises with cliffs reaching 300 meters. You will have time to walk inside the gorge and enjoy the cool atmosphere between the canyon walls.
The journey continues through the Dades Valley, famous for its unique rock formations such as the “Monkey Fingers” and its winding mountain road. After several viewpoint stops, you will arrive at your hotel in the valley, where dinner and an overnight stay await.
The final day begins with a drive along the Road of 1000 Kasbahs, where ancient fortresses and oasis landscapes dominate the scenery. You reach Ouarzazate, known as the gateway to the desert and home to several film studios.
Nearby is the UNESCO-listed Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, one of the best-preserved ksars in Morocco and a filming location for many movies and series. After exploring its mud-brick architecture, you continue your drive through the High Atlas Mountains, crossing the Tizi n’Tichka pass at 2,260 meters.
As the landscape changes from mountains to plains, you approach Marrakech, where your driver will drop you off at your accommodation, marking the end of your 4-day desert adventure.
